As a result of the response efforts to the Deer Park fire at the Intercontinental Terminal Company (ITC) plant, the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management has decided to postpone the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) testing that was scheduled for tomorrow, March 19, 2019.

The new test date is Tuesday, March 26, 2019, the times and locations remain the same.

We will test the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) text message using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The message will read:

“This is a test of the Mont. Co. Wireless Emergency Alerts No action required www.mctxoem.org"

If you do not receive at a minimum the first test that targets all of Montgomery County at 10:15 AM or if you feel as though you should have received a second message, please go to www.mctxoem.org and fill out the survey. You can direct any questions or concerns to OHSEM 936-523-3900.

Please note that some public will receive more than one test message in a short amount of time. We want to assure the public that this testing will not become the norm but is necessary to ensure their safety.

APPLICATION FAIR SET FOR

FRIDAY, MARCH 22 & 23

IN POINT BLANK, TX

HAS BEEN CANCELLED

AN EVENT HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR APRIL 5, 2019 IN PRECINCT 3

******DETAILS TO FOLLOW******

MARCH APPLICATION FAIRS

FOR SAN JACINTO COUNTYHURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY

Friday, March 8, 4pm-7pm: Coldspring (Elections Bldg)

Saturday, March 9, 10am-2pm: Coldspring (Elections Bldg)

Friday, March 15, 4pm-7pm: Shepherd (Community Center)

Saturday, March 16, 10am-2pm: Shepherd (Community Center)

Friday, March 22, 4pm-7pm: Point Blank (Eastside COGIC)

Saturday, March 23, 10am-2pm: Point Blank (Eastside COGIC)

First of its kind program reimburses homeowners up to $50,000 for repairs to Hurricane Harvey damaged homes. Now accepting applications online, in-person, and via mail

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) allocated $100 million in Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to reimburse homeowners up to $50,000 for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred for repairs to their Hurricane Harvey damaged home, including reconstruction, rehabilitation or mitigation. Homeowners in Harris County and the city of Houston will be able to apply for similar programs funded by direct allocations.

To be eligible for this program:

The home must be the owner's primary residence.

The homeowner must be able to provide proof of damage from Hurricane Harvey.

The homeowner must be able to provide receipts and/or invoices for eligible repairs.

Eligible repairs must have been completed prior to the application launch date of Feb. 28, 2019. Applications are anticipated to outnumber available funds, so apply quickly!

Additional criteria may apply.

In accordance with HUD requirements, homeowners are not eligible if:

The home is in the City of Houston or Harris County, which will fund repair programs through their respective direct allocations.

The home is in a 100-year floodplain, was substantially damaged and is not at least 2 feet above the base elevation.

The home is in a 100-year floodplain, and the household income is greater than 120% area median income and homeowner did not have flood insurance on August 24, 2017.

Homeowner received prior disaster relief assistance for home located in a 100-year floodplain and did not maintain flood insurance.

The home is in a floodway, which is an area designed to flood.

The home may also not be eligible if there is lead based paint that was not remediated.

The GLO's Homeowner Reimbursement Program team will also assist households that cannot submit electronic applications. In-person assistance is available at regional Homeowner Reimbursement Program offices across the affected area.

The following regional office locations will be available to help potential applicants:

Rockport Homeowner Reimbursement Program Regional Office

2317 Rath Street, Rockport, TX 78382

Fort Bend Homeowner Reimbursement Program Regional Office

1 Sugar Creek Center Boulevard, Suite 200, Sugar Land, TX 77478

Galveston Homeowner Reimbursement Program Regional Office

600 Gulf Freeway, Texas City, TX 77591

Conroe Homeowner Reimbursement Program Regional Office

200 River Pointe Dr., Conroe, TX 77304

South East Texas Homeowner Reimbursement Program Regional Office

505 Orleans Street, Suite 100, Beaumont, TX 77701

Additional satellite offices and application intake locations will be available in each county with variable office hours to be based on need. All locations with current hours of availability will be posted on recovery.texas.gov/hrp. For additional assistance, interested applicants can email cdr@recovery.texas.govor call 1-844-893-8937.

Households that meet the low- to moderate-income (LMI) threshold will receive prioritized application processing for the first 30 days, but all homeowners are encouraged to apply immediately. Non-LMI households will be considered for eligibility in order of application submission.

The GLO anticipates receiving more applications than funds available, so do not delay!

AUSTIN - Hurricane Harvey survivors currently living in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded temporary housing units (THUs) who wish to remain in their units past Feb. 25, 2019, will be required to begin paying rent after that date. Households that cannot afford Fair Market Rent may have their rate reduced as low as $50 per month. Rent reduction appeals will not be accepted after Monday, Feb. 25.

FEMA's temporary housing program was originally planned to run through Feb. 25, 2019. However, on Nov. 28, 2018, Commissioner George P. Bush announced FEMA granted his request for a six-month extension for Hurricane Harvey survivors still residing in federally funded manufactured housing units and travel trailers. Although the housing program has been extended through Aug. 25, 2019, those who remain in the program after Feb. 25 will be required by FEMA to pay rent. Survivors who cannot afford fair-market rent are able to petition for a reduction by contacting FEMA. Eligible households received a letter from FEMA including information about the costs related to the extension. Households that cannot afford Fair Market Rent, however, may have their rate reduced as low as $50 per month.

How is Rent Determined?

Rent is based on the fair market rate (FMR) of comparable rental properties in the area. FEMA staff is working with survivors to determine how much rent they can afford based on their incomes and current housing expenses such as mortgage payments on their pre-disaster residence. Survivors who cannot afford the rent can petition for a rent reduction by contacting FEMA. Appeals and supporting documentation regarding rent must be returned to FEMA via postal mail, fax, or by giving the appropriate documentation to their recertification caseworker before Feb. 25, 2019.

FEMA uses U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines to determine a homeowner's eligibility for reduced rent. HUD defines low-­income families as those with incomes not exceeding 80 percent of the median family income for the area.

When FEMA approves a reduction, the rent amount is based on the THU occupant's financial ability to pay. Several factors are used to calculate rental requirements for those seeking a reduced rate, such as the household size, housing expenses and adjusted income for all adult occupants.

FEMA uses a streamlined process for the rental rate-appeal process, allowing THU occupants to submit self-certified pre-disaster documentation. Pre-disaster income and housing cost information is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Occupants must continue to make progress on their permanent housing plan to remain eligible for the temporary housing program, including during the extension period when rental payments are required.

Occupants who have questions about renting THUs can get more information and connect with a case manager by emailing femadr4332txrent@fema.dhs.gov.

FEMA THU Sales Program

Also at the request of Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, FEMA granted a THU Sales to Occupants program for Hurricane Harvey survivors still residing in federally funded manufactured housing units and travel trailers. Now certain Harvey survivors in THUs have been offered the opportunity to purchase their current unit. The sales offer is only good for 30 days after the notification letter was sent to the occupant. To be eligible to purchase a THU, the survivor must lack a permanent housing solution, through no fault of their own.

Each THU's sale price will be determined by FEMA based on the unit type, number of bedrooms and number of months the applicant lived in the unit. Applicants who are unable to afford the sale price may appeal the cost to FEMA.

Occupants who have questions about purchasing THUs can call 855-336-2003 or fax 512-490-1248.